Karniquet and Paul Townend © Photo Healy Racing
Karniquet made an impressive start for current connections when landing the odds in the opening 2025 Annual Badge At Tramore Racecourse Maiden Hurdle.
The son of Kapgarde, trained by Willie Mullins for Gigginstown House Stud, was prominent throughout with chief market rival Downmexicoway and took over on the long run-in after the final two hurdles were omitted due to the low lying sun.
The 4/5 favourite stretched clear under Paul Townend in the final furlong to beat Downmexicoway by an easy 11 lengths with Grainne A Chroi keeping on three-quarters of a length further back in third.
An impressed Townend said afterwards, “I loved the way he went through the race.
“Obviously we only jumped a couple of hurdles but he’d two runs over hurdles in France and is well able to jump.
“He’s entitled to come on a bit from it as well and he has a nice way of going. He gave me a lovely feeling.”
Mullins won this race two years ago with Gaelic Warrior while Laurina is another Cheltenham Festival winner to have also landed this race in the past for the champion trainer.
